But when Laurel J. Richie took over as the third president of the WNBA on May 16, one of the things that escaped the notice of most media outlets is that she became the first African American (male or female) to head a major American sports league. She's not only the first African-American president of the WNBA, she's also the first one who wasn't a basketball player herself.
Richie's roots are in the business world as a veteran marketing executive who last worked as the Chief Marketing Officer of the Girl Scouts of America. She also worked for the national advertising agency, Ogilvy & Mather and developed advertising campaigns for such companies as American Express and Pepperidge Farm.
Those skills will suit her well in her current position as WNBA president. One of the jobs she'll have will be to continue marketing of the WNBA to the mainstream sports audience.
"The WNBA is comprised of the best female basketball players in the world, and I'm looking forward to working with these talented women as they strive to achieve their professional goals both on and off the court."
As when y'all finally get around to expansion, hope Houston's at the top of the list for cities to return to.
